Interview Advice and Techniques

When attending a job interview is important to appear relaxed, controlled and confident. Here are some simple ways to achieve this.

Prepare

Make sure you make notes, brainstorm and write a list of potential questions the interviewer may ask you and come up with responses. Some questions to prepare for include:

Why did you study Pharmacy?

What area would you like to specialize in?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

What appealed about our Pharmacy?

What are your strengths / weaknesses?

Practise, Practise, Practise!

Although you may feel silly standing in front of the bathroom mirror practising your responses can help you is mentally prepare for an interview.

Plan your trip

Plan your route carefully and allow for delays and traffic jams. Also, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview so that you’re relaxed.

Dress to impress

It is important that you dress appropriately for your interview. Choose something that is professional, but something that you feel comfortable in. Given the environment, closed-toe shoes are a must and jeans are not acceptable. Also try and avoid clothes that are revealing or may be considered too casual.

Discuss

Make sure that you know your résumé inside and out. It is likely that the interviewer will ask you to talk through your résumé and experience with them and will ask questions based on the information in your résumé. Answer questions honestly and do not over elaborate your experience.

Engage

An employer will appreciate you showing interest in their organisation, so make sure you prepare some questions to ask towards the end of the interview. Also, by taking a pen and paper you will appear interested and keen to learn more.

Some definite no no’s are listed below:

Bone crunching handshakes

Avoid blunt ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers

Avoid making negative comments

Don’t act too cool. Communicate your interest in the role

Dirty shoes or clothes

Untidy hair

Avoid overpowering aftershave/perfume

When you don’t get the job

So you were unsuccessful in getting the job? Try not to think of having ‘failed’ but rather focus on what you did well and look constructively at the areas you could improve on. Think of every interview as an opportunity to gain experience and to fine tune your interview technique.

Once you’ve got that job, what now?

Once you have been successful in getting that job, make sure you check the following details with your future employee:

Start Date, Time and Location

Hours of operation

Details of what is expected of you and/or your employment contract

Job description (if applicable)

Some tips for your first day

Have a good night’s sleep, get up nice and early and eat a proper breakfast

Turn up on time

Bring relevant information such as your tax file number and bank account details. If you wish to remain with your current superannuation provide, bring these details too

Make sure you know what hours are expected of you

It’s a good idea to write everything down - there’s nothing worse than forgetting where things are

Observe your colleague and start to identify what is and isn’t acceptable